Battelle’s Post

A few weeks ago, I talked about Spruce’s relationship with Rider University and how we welcome entrepreneurial students onto our team every year to discuss project ideas. Well, this year’s group has arrived! We’re looking into mechanizing in the industry. With more automatic machines and robotics, we may need less custodial staff, but we certainly need more mechanics. Our biggest problem is that fewer kids want to become mechanics. For this year’s project, our students are going to explore the idea of attracting new talent. Our mechanics at Spruce are getting older, and we need more already. The project we’re considering is partnering with vocational schools to create an apprenticeship at Spruce with an opportunity for a job at the end. The students are going to research the viability of this idea and let us know if we should implement it or not. We took our students’ advice last year, and it’s gone great—I can’t wait to see what they come up with this time! #opportunity #business #leadership #entrepreneurship #mechanics

In our latest article showing the tremendous impact made by IMechE members, we speak to Molly Starkes, a young engineer who is already inspiring others. #engineering #careers

A proposal to establish an advanced manufacturing apprenticeship and community robotics center at Tunxis Community College in Farmington is gaining support from business advocates in Connecticut. Senate Bill 430, introduced by the Commerce Committee, seeks authorization for up to $4 million in bonds from the state Bond Commission to establish the center within the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system. This facility, developed in collaboration with local manufacturers, aims to address the state's workforce shortage by providing advanced manufacturing programming and training in robotics. With a significant investment required to launch the center, advocates emphasize the importance of funding to prepare future employees for the evolving manufacturing landscape. Industry leaders, including the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) and Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs (CRCJ), endorse the proposal, highlighting the critical need for skilled workers in the growing manufacturing sector. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ecfXdvFi #workforcewednesday

The CareerWise Elkhart County team hosted a training for manufacturing businesses hosting 8th grade students for Manufacturing Days in October. The Manufacturing businesses learned how to design hands-on and engaging stations to highlight different career pathways in Elkhart County. These business partners are bridging the gap between education and business and they are playing a key role in the education of these students! #careerwiseelkhartcounty #manufacturingdays #elkhartcounty #horizoneducationalliance

Good read on the growing interest in the trades by young people. The construction industry has been working hard to change the narrative on trades vs college at a grass roots level. As the price of college tuition continues to grow and the job prospects for those college degrees seem more uncertain, building trades careers are becoming more and more attractive. As construction leaders, we need to keep our foot on the gas and continue to invest in skills and leadership training for this younger generation. This investment will not only fill the needs of US infrastructure construction today, but provide for the next generations more technical construction needs. #tradescareers #construction #apprenticeship

We love seeing investment in the next generation of leaders! Check out the post from Economic Development Manager Bruce Coleman below to learn about how Sherwood High School is preparing students for success through the Career & Technical Education (CTE) program.

New data: Gen Z is increasingly interested in vocational trades. While there are likely to be many societal benefits resulting from this shift in behavior, it’s also something of a canary in the coal mine for the business model underlying higher education. It’s true that degrees demonstrate a range of skills and perseverance necessary to succeed in a variety of roles outside a given field of study. But as a higher share of students chose alternative paths, greater support towards similar credentials are much needed. My view? More broadly implemented and funded apprenticeships could change this reality of education vs experience from an either-or, to a yes-and. Curious to hear if you agree or disagree. #GenZ #Work #Education https://lnkd.in/eAnAfjzC

Learn more about engineering grad programs at Northwestern with this upcoming fair!

What an interesting mechanism a Shaper Machine has! As shown in the picture, the advance is slow to remove material efficiently, while the return is much faster to reduce the 'dead' time of the process. What's fascinating is the conversion of circular motion into linear motion, a process facilitated by the Whitworth mechanism. This type of machine is quite old, and if you're young, you might never have seen one in a workshop. Luckily, I had the opportunity to use one during my apprenticeship. It is easy to operate and extremely helpful for building prototypes or small batches in production. However, for mass production, it can be a bit inefficient due to the time lost in the process, and there are more modern and efficient solutions available. In the first comment, I will post a video demonstrating the working principle! #mechanicalengineer #production #shapermachine #mechanism

Apprentice programs are so important and sometimes have a bad reputation but manufacturing today is no longer the sweat shops of our fathers and grandfathers. The earnings after the programs are completed look great as well and let's not forget the "earn while you learn" option. We offer an apprentice program here in Omaha at our location that is sponsored by #ICATT and the #GACC Midwest. After the three years, the apprentices have a associate degree from a community college, a certificate from the German Chamber of Commerce that is recognized anywhere in the world, and they have a job - plus they are debt free. Now, let's compare this to a college graduate: Needs to study for four years (one more year!), usually no earnings because of the college studies (!), needs to look for a job (!), and usually not debt free when graduating (!). The apprentice programs are not a bad deal in my book.